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For International Students...

As an institution committed to fostering global understanding and awareness, Mercyhurst University offers many opportunities for students from around the globe. Mercyhurst offers three exciting pathways for study for international students:

Students with demonstrated proficiency in the English language (IELTS of 6.5 or TOEFL of 550 on the paper-based test) can matriculate directly as a traditional undergraduate or graduate student

Students in need of language support as they begin their undergraduate program (minimum IELTS of 5) are invited into our International Foundation Program (IFP), a one-year, credit-bearing program. IFP students are fully matriculated, degree-seeking students.

In order to provide significant opportunities for student success, our IEP provides intensive English language and culture preparation designed to enhance academic and spoken English proficiency. The IEP is divided into four, eight week sessions within the university calendar and an additional summer session. Our sessions cover five language levels: High Beginner to Advanced. Currently the IEP does not offer instruction to low beginners of the language, so students may enter the program after submission of current TOEFL or IELTS scores, evidence of previous English instruction, or an initial placement test taken at Mercyhurst. Students are placed according to proficiency and move through levels based on an assessment portfolio: a Mercyhurst placement/progress test, class performance, and internationally recognized exam scores (IELTS, TOEFL). Each level has 24 contact hours and the courses help students develop their language skills, cultural knowledge, and personal educational goals through an integrated approach towards language instruction.

To complete your applications, please submit the following documents to Monica Clem at mclem@mercyhurst.edu after completing your online application:

Copy of your passport

Copies of all academic transcripts, including high school and/or college. All transcripts must be in English. Students who wish to transfer credits from other institutions must also submit copies of the catalog course descriptions from the college or university they attended and a transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES)

Financial guarantee, bank statement and/or certification of finances. All documents must demonstrate enough funds to pay for the entire first year of study.

Proof of insurance coverage. All students in the United States are required to provide evidence of health insurance. Mercyhurst University provides health insurance plans for students. Please contact the International Admissions office for more information about these plans.

Students who have TOEFL or IELTS scores may submit them for automatic placement into the appropriate level of the IEP. Students who do not submit scores will be registered in the entry level and may take the English placement test upon arrival at Mercyhurst University. To schedule an English placement test on our campus, please contact Janelle Newman, Director for the Center of English Language Studies at jnewman@mercyhurst.edu

For more information, please contact Monica Clem, Program Manager for Specialized International Programs at (814) 824-2430 or by email at mclem@mercyhurst.edu.

The International Foundations Program is a two semester experience which allows undergraduate students to take credit-bearing courses at Mercyhurst as well as receive additional language support through academic courses focused on enriching their language development. Acceptance into IFP is based on TOEFL or IELTS scores. Applicants must demonstrate an adequate command of the English language. Upon acceptance into the International Foundations Program, students select an academic major and begin the Foundations year.

During the first semester, students will take:

WL 108: Listening and Speaking for Academic Success, 3 credits

WL 110: Reading and Writing for Academic Success, 3 credits

Two academic courses that meet requirements for the student’s chosen major, 6 credits

During the second semester, students will take:

WL 201: Digital Literacy, 3 credits

ENG 110: Composition, 3 credits

ENG 100: Critical and Evaluative Reading, 3 credits

Two academic courses that meet the requirements for the student’s chosen major, 6 credits

To complete your application, please submit the following documents to Monica Clem at mclem@mercyhurst.edu after completing your online application:

Copy of your passport

Copies of all academic transcripts, including high school and/or college. All transcripts must be in English. Students who wish to transfer credits from other institutions must also submit copies of the catalog course descriptions from the college or university they attended and a transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES)

Proof of insurance coverage. All students in the United States are required to provide evidence of health insurance. Mercyhurst University provides health insurance plans for students. Please contact the International Admissions office for more information about these plans.

For more information, please contact Monica Clem, Program Manager for Specialized International Programs at (814) 824-2430 or mclem@mercyhurst.edu

Students with demonstrated English proficiency (IELTS of 6.5+) are invited to apply for admission as an undergraduate student. Traditional undergraduate students enter into an academic program of study directly and are not required to take Intensive English or Foundations courses. Please contact Eric Evans, Director of International Admissions at eevans@mercyhurst.edu for more information. Students who wish to apply for undergrauate admissions should submit the following:

If your records are written in a language other than English, translation of the documents into English and a statement attesting to the accuracy of the translations must be submitted (notarized).

If English is not your first language, your scores on the TOEFL and/or IELTS must be submitted. Applicants for admission must present a TOEFL score of no less than 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, and 79-80 on the Internet-based test. Applicants for admission must present a IELTS score of no less than 6.5.

Bank affidavit on official bank letterhead (a notarized document verifying US dollar amounts available). This is required by the U. S. government, and will be attached to your final immigration documents.

Original test score results of the ACT or SAT (if available; however, if you plan to participate in inter-collegiate athletics, they are required).

You must submit proof of health insurance coverage. This is needed to attend school in the United States. Students may use - but are not limited to - the health plan provided by the university. Contact International Admissions for more information about the health insurance available through the university.

Obtain Your Visa and Plan Your Travel to the United States
If you are residing outside of the U.S., you must visit obtain a passport from your government. Next, you must apply for an F-1 Student visa. As soon as you receive your I-20 from Mercyhurst University, schedule your visa appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country to apply for an F-1 visa. Be sure to bring the following to your appointment:

Visa application

Receipt confirming payment of the SEVIS fee. You may visit https://fmg.com to pay the fee.

Passport-sized photos

I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) forms

Financial evidence detailing the source and amount of funding

Official academic transcript and official acceptance letter

Proof of English proficiency may be requested

Students applying for initial entry may be issued the visa up to 120 days before the start date of their academic program. You may not enter the U.S. earlier than 30 days before the start date of your program, so make your travel arrangements with this in mind.

Students should make housing arrangements in the U.S. prior to arriving. Mercyhurst University offers numerous housing options. If you are interested in on-campus housing, please click here. Intensive English and International Foundations Students interested in housing should contact Monica Clem, Program Manager for Specialized International Programs at mclem@mercyhurst.edu

Plan to attend the orientation session for your program. If you are unable to attend orientation, be sure to visit the International Office as soon as you arrive on campus to check in and maintain your status. You will need to provide the following:

Photocopies of all your travel and immigration documents. This includes your passport biography page, visa page, copy of your I-20 and your I-94 (travel record). The I-94 record can be printed from https://i94.cbp.gov

Updated local address. You are responsible for reporting any address changes to the International Office

In addition to tuition, fees, room, and board, international students should consider additional costs they may incur, such as books, health insurance and personal expenses. Use the currency converter to get a better idea how these costs translate into your currency. To assist with college costs, scholarships for international students are available. Awards vary and are awarded to International students with strong high school academic achievements and financial need. Regardless of your need for financial aid, you must complete a Certification of Finances form. Mercyhurst seeks to assist deserving students in affording their education, but all are expected to contribute to the total cost of their education.

The Multicultural Center is a comprehensive office that assists with the educational, cultural, social and personal needs of all students, with special emphasis on ethnic, gender, and minority issues. The primary focus of the office is to develop leaders and scholars and to create campus-wide awareness of socio-economic issues and to bridge the gap between students and faculty. The office also provides person support, leadership development, professional development and a diverse resource library. The Multicultural Center works with the International Office to host several fun and exciting events throughout the year, including:

We realize that sometimes, balancing the demands of college can be a bit overwhelming, especially for international students. That's why The Office of Academic Support offers a variety of support services to help international students with a variety of academic concerns. Our dedicated staff is ready to assist students with any of the following:

Concerns about academic performance

Navigating the college environment

Registering for classes

Tutoring

Understanding academic requirements

Change of major and transcript requests

Please contact Kerrie Findlay, Academic Counselor/International Student Support at kfindlay@mercyhurst.edu or stop by her office, located in Egan 124.